Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the Orange County Chamber of Commerce received $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Regional Marketing Program (RMP). In total, VTC awarded more than $3.2 million for 236 local and regional tourism marketing programs across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism.
The Chamber of Commerce received a $10,000 grant for The Orange Uncorked Wine Festival. The Chamber partnered with members B & L Dumpsters, Piedmont Power, G W Hebler Inc., Paint it Orange, Deep Roots Home & Garden Supply, and several local radio stations to provide matching funds and in-kind donations. This long running Central Virginia Craft Beverage festival, now in its 32nd year, brings Virginia wine, cider, artisans, and live local music artists together to celebrate the Virginia craft beverage culture; bringing guests from across the state and surrounding areas to experience these locally grown and produced craft beverages and other Virginia-centric treasures. This year’s event added a new feature, dubbed “The Cork Club”, which allowed attendees to receive discounts from local food and beverage vendors with proof of festival attendance. The Chamber hopes to expand this offering for future events.
Julie Perry, Assistant Director of Economic Development and Tourism, said “Congratulations to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce on their recent Virginia Tourism Corporation Special Event Grant for $10,000. The Orange Uncorked Wine Festival is a signature event for Orange that brings in visitors from around the state to celebrate the bounty of Central Virginia Wine. The event highlights local and regional wineries in a beautiful venue at the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We’re proud to have this annual event in Orange County and grateful to Virginia Tourism for their continued support!”
Using the hub and spoke tourism partnership model, Virginia entities partner to apply for funding. Partners may consist of Virginia cities, towns, counties, convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, other local or regional destination marketing organizations, private businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, and other tourism-related businesses. “VTC’s tourism marketing and sponsorship programs are designed to increase visitor spending by leveraging limited marketing dollars, to stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships, and to extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand to drive visitation,” said Rita McClenny, VTC President and CEO. More information on VTC’s Marketing Leverage and Regional Marketing Programs can be found at vatc.org/grants.
“VTC’s marketing and sponsorship programs are powerful incentives creating tourism partnerships across Virginia that are a robust part of Virginia’s economic ecosystem,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “From first-time applicants like Foxfield Races and Paradise Springs Winery to large music festivals in Hampton Roads and Southwest Virginia driving inbound overnight visitation, these programs show that tourism and tourism partnerships help Virginia’s vibrant communities grow and thrive.”
“Driving inbound out-of-state overnight visitation is a key economic strategy and the VTC grant and sponsorship programs help create unique partnerships that have tangible economic impacts across Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Many of these programs also support regional marketing initiatives designed to encourage Virginians to explore their own state.”
For more information on The Orange County Chamber of Commerce visit www.orangevachamber.com.
About The Orange County Chamber of Commerce
The Orange County Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1924 to advance the civic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural interests of the County of Orange, Virginia. Today, the organization continues to promote the general welfare of the citizens and the prosperity of Orange County by developing a mutually beneficial network of local businesses and stimulating public support for the business community.
About Virginia Tourism Corporation Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at virginia.org.